Next-Gen Eye Toy

[Nick Laslett]

Interesting news about Next-Gen Eyetoy in this months Edge magazine.

The main advance seems to be the effective calculation of depth. So instead of the camera seeing you as a flat pane, you can now interact on a 3D plane.

Very hard to understand the concepts using words as it is such a visual thing.

But after a little thought it did seem amazing that the next-gen eyetoy will be able to put you inside the 3D environment. Sounds a little like VR in reverse.

 

[London Geezer]

Interesting news about Next-Gen Eyetoy in this months Edge magazine.

The main advance seems to be the effective calculation of depth. So instead of the camera seeing you as a flat pane, you can now interact on a 3D plane.

Very hard to understand the concepts using words as it is such a visual thing.

But after a little thought it did seem amazing that the next-gen eyetoy will be able to put you inside the 3D environment. Sounds a little like VR in reverse.

I'd have thought 2 cameras would do the trick. But i guess one camera could also work, if the software can calculate the relative difference in size of the object and extrapolate from that data how far it is from the camera. Still, it would only work on a "relative" level. The camera would see you at a predetermined level 0, say 1m from the camera, then calculate your z movement according to how big or small you get (when you get closer or farther to the camera).
But i haven't seen the Edge article so...

 

[j^aws]

Method and apparatus for adjusting a view of a scene being displayed according to tracked head motion

This Sony VR patent looks like it could be related to the next gen EyeToy...

 

[rabidrabbit]

It might be using some infrared tech.
http://www.csem.ch/detailed/p_531_3dcam_pub.htm

 

[Brimstone]

Gamespy has an article on this. The camera shoots out an infra-red beam to figure out distance. Actually a post was made on this a while back.

http://www.gamespy.com/articles/584/584744p1.html?fromint=1

 

[Inane_Dork]

So basically, the camera takes a color picture and a depth picture, right? Doesn't sounds too weird to me.

I look forward to seeing how they will use the depth data (especially in an automatic manner).

 

[London Geezer]

So basically, the camera takes a color picture and a depth picture, right? Doesn't sounds too weird to me.

I look forward to seeing how they will use the depth data (especially in an automatic manner).

Well taking depth information presumes the fact that the game will need you to move (step or jump) back and forth in front of the monitor. Many things you could use that in a game
Also, hands/head movements will be totally 3D now. The possibilities are quite a lot.
Instead of stupid little "kill the ninjas comin at u!" minigames, we'll have fully fledged 3D games we can control with our bodies.
"Proper" fighting games come to mind.

 

[rabidrabbit]

I see most use for this in mmorpg's and in multiplayer internet games in general.
Imagine your avatar being able to mimic your gestures, even facial movement via motion capture.
"Emotions" in games where your in-game character reflects your own mood! The character is lip syncing and your (masked) voice is heard by other players.

Just imagine all the things you could do with other players when your character isn't any more limited to some few pre-defined animation routines

 

[Shifty Geezer]

"Proper" fighting games come to mind.

Where you find you die quickly, because you can't do high-kicks, leg sweeps, 1,000 punch flurries, and after a few punches you feel knackered. Not to mention all the broken lightbulbs we'll see when virtually swords are waved ineffectually.

 

[London Geezer]

"Proper" fighting games come to mind.

Where you find you die quickly, because you can't do high-kicks, leg sweeps, 1,000 punch flurries, and after a few punches you feel knackered. Not to mention all the broken lightbulbs we'll see when virtually swords are waved ineffectually.

Yeah well that's not Sony's problem is it...

 

[satriales]

I have been reading these forums for a while now, but I felt I had to register so that I could post about the potential of the Eyetoy 2.
http://www.demo.com/demo/demonstrators/2004/page773-697045.html
This video uses the same technology rumoured to be in Eyetoy 2. If true this would have a HUGE impact on how games are played.

 

[PC-Engine]

I have been reading these forums for a while now, but I felt I had to register so that I could post about the potential of the Eyetoy 2.
http://www.demo.com/demo/demonstrators/2004/page773-697045.html
This video uses the same technology rumoured to be in Eyetoy 2. If true this would have a HUGE impact on how games are played.

And where did this rumor orginate? The demo looks cool and everything but I don't think you understand how it works and what is needed to get it or work not to mention a game application even after you get it to work.

 

[pc999]

I have been reading these forums for a while now, but I felt I had to register so that I could post about the potential of the Eyetoy 2.
http://www.demo.com/demo/demonstrators/2004/page773-697045.html
This video uses the same technology rumoured to be in Eyetoy 2. If true this would have a HUGE impact on how games are played.

Interesting, this is from Total Imersion, this will make this a bit harder (pricier?) to Sony to get this tech after those control problems, meybe easier to MS...

Anyway I think that this (new interfaces) is best thing that next gen can offer.

 

[Npl]

So basically, the camera takes a color picture and a depth picture, right? Doesn't sounds too weird to me.

I look forward to seeing how they will use the depth data (especially in an automatic manner).

Shees, guess you would only need to turn around 360° once and you could have a complete 3D-Model of your self.
Also recognising movement would be alot better since its not limited to the contrast of your hands/head/whatever to the background.

 

[London Geezer]

Jeeesh... another infrared pulse running throught the lounge.
So now we'll have mobile phones, electromagnetic fields from all the electronic appliances, WI-FI, infrared remote controls for TV, hi-fi, DVD and other devices and controllers for consoles.... We're all gonna fry our brains

 

[Shifty Geezer]

IR's the least worrisome. It's absorbed at the skin level as heat, unlike microwaves that pass into core tissues. No different to IR coming from a fire or radiator or sunlight etc. Personally I'm not too keen about my new WiFi network running on microwaves, but as my normal phone also uses the same, and the airwaves are swamped with microwaves for mobile phones (which I don't have), a few more aren't going to make matters any worse :?

 

[Npl]

Jeeesh... another infrared pulse running throught the lounge.
So now we'll have mobile phones, electromagnetic fields from all the electronic appliances, WI-FI, infrared remote controls for TV, hi-fi, DVD and other devices and controllers for consoles.... We're all gonna fry our brains

infrared aint going though the skin - its passing nothing light cant pass. Anyway, I hope you soon join our faithful consuming again. *quitly calls the re-ned-ucation centre to look for lb*

 

[London Geezer]

IR's the least worrisome. It's absorbed at the skin level as heat, unlike microwaves that pass into core tissues. No different to IR coming from a fire or radiator or sunlight etc. Personally I'm not too keen about my new WiFi network running on microwaves, but as my normal phone also uses the same, and the airwaves are swamped with microwaves for mobile phones (which I don't have), a few more aren't going to make matters any worse :?

... you don't sound too convinced

 

[satriales]

I have been reading these forums for a while now, but I felt I had to register so that I could post about the potential of the Eyetoy 2.
http://www.demo.com/demo/demonstrators/2004/page773-697045.html
This video uses the same technology rumoured to be in Eyetoy 2. If true this would have a HUGE impact on how games are played.

And where did this rumor orginate? The demo looks cool and everything but I don't think you understand how it works and what is needed to get it or work not to mention a game application even after you get it to work.

There was a topic in the PSINext forums. Apparently when the makers of that demo talked about possible applications for the software they specifically mentioned using it in a Sony camera.

You're right, I don't have a clue how it works, but as far as I could tell all they are using is a special camera and their software. Assuming they could get the cost of the camera down I don't see any reason why the Eyetoy2 couldn't have simmiliar capabilities.

 

[PC-Engine]

SONY makes many types of cameras...